removing strings

[dchalfon]

i heard it not a great idea to remove all the strings from a bass when changing them or doing some maintenance because of truss rod tension can damage the neck, is it correct? what´s the best way to do it?

[mro]

Just to rule out any possibility to damage in any way, I change 1 string at a time. This way, string tension doesn't change on the neck from full tension to none and back to full.

[Mr. Phil]

On my Kit bass, I know that would be a problem, the neck is horrible on that. I needed huge guage strings to keep the neck the right way and if any are out of tune, it screw it up. if I took all the strings off, i'd be screwed.

[Edendude]

Basses or guitars...

 

I have always changed strings one at a time, just to be on the safe side.

[badgerbass]

I used to change one at a time for years. Then I heard it doesn't make any difference. Now I take off all at once so I can clean the fingerboard better. I haven't had a problem with the tension changing or anything. If you are worried about it, just take them off for a short time and put a full set back on right away. Maybe it affects different basses differently.

 

Guy

[saxofunk]

I also take them all off to clean the fretboard. But then again, I only change strings every six months or so now.

[57pbass]

As already mentioned...

 

If you are just changing the strings its best do go one at a time.

If you plan on cleaning down the neck and frets you will obviously need to take all strings off..

[_Sweet Willie_]

I don't change strings too often. One set of strings stays on my fretted bass for 3 to 6 months, and on my fretless longer than that.

 

When I change them I usually remove them all and clean the fingerboard (and frets).

 

I have never had a problem with the necks on my basses re-stringing and maintaining them this way.

 

Peace.

--SW

[jeremy c]

Willie, don't clean the fingerboard!

You're going to take the funk off!

 

One at a time is the way to go. If you take them all off, and then put all new ones on, wait a day or two for the neck to settle back down before making adjustments to the bridges and especially to the truss rod.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Originally posted by jeremyc:

Willie, don't clean the fingerboard!

You're going to take the funk off!

 

Dig it, J, the funk ain't on the fingerboard. It's in the fingers.

 

...That's why I don't wash my hands!

[wraub]

Then perhaps we should call you Sweat Willie..?

 

Peace,

 

wraub

[silver32012]

I agree with changing one string at a time deal. I do have one more thing to add however.

When you are taking your strings off, you should unwind them. If you use wire cutters or something to that effect, the sudden release of tension might damage your neck.

[Fuego]

I tend 2 take off all the strings at once, i mean the neck is under pressure so it might be good 2 let it relax some wouldnt it? also when i change them i loosen the E and the G string at the same time 2 prevent warping.

 

Fuego

[Raven]

You're really better off doing one string at a time.

Like Jeremy said, if you take them all off at once, the neck has to settle itself again. New strings are going to put extra tension on the neck anyway, so why subject the neck to more stress than absolutely necessary?

 

Rock On....

[Mr. Phil]

Originally posted by wraub:

Then perhaps we should call you Sweat Willie..?

 

Peace,

 

wraub

I think STINKY Willie would be more suitable

[LizzyD]

Wow, I've seen this question come up so many times before, and this is the most people I've seen saying to do it one at a time.

 

I have always taken all my strings off at once, on the many guitars and basses I've had over the years. I never had any neck issues with any of them. Mind you, I don't leave them off for more than 5-10 minutes, enough time to clean up the board or dust around the pups and bridge.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If the neck goes haywire from removing all the strings at once, then I'd say there's a problem with the neck and you're going to find out sooner or later. But if a piece of wood can be subjected to the amount of tension the strings constantly give it, then it should be capable of flexing the other way now and then.

 

Still, if you're uncomfortable with it, or don't want to ever touch the truss rod, or know already that your neck is unstable, then by all means do it one at a time.

[Bass_god_offspring]

on this topic....

 

should you wait to play ur bass after u change the strings, or can u play right after. someone told me that it will break the strings if u play right after u put on new strings?

[Raven]

BGO..... never heard of that one..... bass strings are really tough, even the lightest guages are extremely strong. I had a round wound unravel once, but I hand't changed the strings or played that bass in a couple of years....

Change 'em out and bang away...

 

Rock on

[Fuego]

Yea i never heard that one ethier,,,,the only time i broke a string was when i bought a new set and felt like how much it could take, stupid thing 2 do but 2 late now lol

 

Fuego

[doc taz]

Originally posted by Bass_god_offspring:

on this topic....

 

should you wait to play ur bass after u change the strings, or can u play right after. someone told me that it will break the strings if u play right after u put on new strings?

What a silly notion! Of course, you can. Just stretch them a bit first, then play as usual. Same for all basses.

[I I mjrn]

Bass guitars necks are under more tension than guitars but if, like Mr. Phil, your instrument falls apart if the strings are changed, that's a whole 'nother problem that needs to be looked at.

 

There are times when it may be necessary to remove all the strings at once; if you fear a problem, one easy way to avoid overstressing the neck would be to gradually bring the strings back to full concert pitch.

[57pbass]

I think STINKY Willie would be more suitable

 

I think we should check with Sweet Willie before we start using this new handle!

[Mr. Phil]

Originally posted by Michael Jackson's real nose:

Bass guitars necks are under more tension than guitars but if, like Mr. Phil, your instrument falls apart if the strings are changed, that's a whole 'nother problem that needs to be looked at.

Yea I know that neck is very messed up.

 

But I don't want to spend another $200-$300 on a new neck.

 

Also my grandpa and I cut the headstock and stained it and everything, so i kinda don't want to change it because of that too.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Ahhhhh, the sweet smell of funk!

 

Maybe I'll change the strings on my fretless soon, and oil the 'board while I'm at it. Yeah, that's the ticket!

 

Peace.

--SW